2022 TCR UK Vice Champion Isaac Smith has announced that he will make his debut in the 2023 TCR Europe Touring Car Series in the opening round of the series at Autódromo Internacional do Algarve near Portimão, where he will drive a Volcano Motorsport-run Audi RS 3 LMS TCR Gen2.

Smith recently enjoyed two days of testing during the official Kumho tire test held at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where the English driver got to grips with the new tyre, the Grand Prix circuit and his first time out in a Generation 2 TCR machine.

Taking part in a regional TCR Series offers Isaac the best possible start towards his goal of scoring enough points to qualify for the Kumho TCR World Ranking Final. As part of the Kumho TCR World Rankings this year, regional series score highly and taking part in the Kumho TCR World Tour events also means a driver scores 50% more points in the rankings.

With the opening three rounds of TCR Europe also part of the inaugural Kumho TCR World Tour, Isaac will be up against some of the best drivers and teams in TCR competition globally. Armed with a new generation Audi, the opening round at Portimão provides him with the ideal platform to show off his talents as he looks to expand his TCR programme in 2023.

“Last year in TCR UK showed that even in an older TCR car, the Volkswagen Golf, I was capable of setting competitive times and scoring podiums across the season,” said Isaac. “Consistency kept me in the hunt and I can use that knowledge again when I make my debut in TCR Europe at the end of this month.

“The best teams in TCR competition have already announced their entries for the Kumho TCR World Tour and by taking part in the opening round at Portimão, I can test myself against the best and show what I can do in the Volcano Motorsport Audi. I’m looking at expanding my TCR Europe programme which looks incredibly competitive for 2023.” 

Photo: WSC/Jordi Rierola